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The streaming revolution is here to stay. On-demand video services have completely transformed our evenings on the sofa.
You might be a binge-watcher or someone who starts every series but never finishes them. Chances are you have some streaming subscription – more than half of UK households have a Netflix subscription.
Streaming means relying on the internet to get a crystal-clear picture, and this is where people often run into trouble. Here are five fixes if dodgy picture quality ruined your movie night or latest episode binge.
Poor Network Connection
A poor connection or lower network capacity is the biggest cause for concern. The lower the download speed from your internet service provider (ISP), the longer it will take for videos to buffer. When what you’re watching catches up to the end of the buffered section, it will affect playback.
Wi-Fi connections are convenient but typically slower than plugged-in ethernet alternatives. If you can afford an upgraded internet package, increased download speeds may also solve this issue.
Device Overload
Having too many devices connected to your Wi-Fi can also cause havoc with your streaming service.
Do you know someone who sits down to watch Netflix and immediately starts scrolling social media on their phone? We all do! Their extra browsing activity might be eating into the bandwidth needed to stream.
Look into your router’s Quality of Service (QoS) settings before banning other devices. You can ensure that your video gets priority by adapting the QoS status.
Bandwidth Throttling
This is when ISPs intentionally dial down the capabilities of your network.
It may be due to high local activity levels or if you’re reaching the end of your monthly data allowance.
All is not lost, however. Using the best VPN for Firestick or any other streaming device masks your activity from your ISP, and you won’t experience any throttling.
Background Apps
There are all kinds of connected products in our homes nowadays. Many of them perform background tasks while not in use. For example, your phone may run updates while you’re trying to watch a movie and consequently clog up your network. This can result in poor video quality.
Disconnecting devices from the Wi-Fi can help, as can changing settings to download updates at a more suitable time.
Streaming Settings
It’s worth checking that the settings on your streaming platform are suitable for your devices and internet service.
You won’t get a stream in ultra-high definition if your device is not set up to display it. Allowing your streaming service to set a suitable quality for your network can maintain a stable connection.
